Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas pledged 300 million Czech crowns ($15 million) to relief efforts and said another 2,000 troops were ready to support the 300 soldiers already helping to erect temporary barriers and pile sandbags in Prague and other areas.

Firefighters remove debris from Netolice creek which flooded the south Bohemian village of Nemcicky. Credit: REUTERS/Petr Josek

"The government approved the declaration of a state of emergency, which will enable a more effective rescue effort," said Necas after an emergency cabinet meeting, adding that there was another 1.3 billion crowns available to help fund the cleanup operation.

The historic area of Prague is a UNESCO heritage site boasting hundreds of well-preserved buildings, churches and monuments dating back centuries, including the Charles Bridge straddling the Vltava that was closed due to high water

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas declared a state of emergency for most of the nation on Sunday as swollen rivers caused by days of heavy rain threatened Prague's historic centre and forced evacuations from low-lying areas.

Prague authorities limited public transport and planned to close underground stations in the centre of the city as water from the Vltava River overflowed into picturesque areas popular with tourists

The main train line connecting the capital and the east of the country was also shut.